Healthy Trails: Travel First Aid Kit

Vivian Vassos | December 1st, 2016

It’s the time of year when many of us take off, whether it’s south for the sunny climes, or en route to destinations where the summer crowds are all but gone. That doesn’t mean, however, that you lapse your healthy attitude. Yes, you may be on holiday, but it is important to keep up your wellness regime – particularly when you’re far from the comforts of home.

Here, a few ways to stay healthy inside and out so you can play away the (vacation) days.

From Morocco: Dr. Roohi Qureshi, the founder of Leaves of Trees might be Canadian, but her products’ main ingredient, Argan Oil, is direct from Morocco. Qureshi, who practices medicine at both St. Michael’s and Sunnybrook hospitals, also holds a degree in chemical engineering. The oil, hand-extracted from Argan tree nuts, is a multi-tasker: a moisturizer with healing and reparative anti-oxidants, it is suitable for both the skin and the hair. The 5-piece travel kit, “Marrakech,” is brand new, and includes a facial oil cleanser and a head ache balm. To boost the cleansing oil’s efficacy and anti-inflammatory power, Qureshi has added blue tansy (also known as Moroccan chamomile) and turmeric. www.leavesoftrees.com

From Canada: Saje Natural Wellness, the family run, B.C.-based company, has developed the Pocket Pharmacy, a portable apothecary of five essential oils in compact 6mL roll-on bottles. With names such as Pain Release, Peppermint Halo and Eater’s Digest, the formulas target muscular and headache pain, help boost immunity, ease digestion and reduce tension. Just add Saje’s Arrive Revive jet-lag fighter, and you are set to go. Or, try the company’s Travel Safe Kit, with Safe Hands, an anti-bacterial, Arrive Revive mist, Eater’s Digest and Restoral Skin Ointment, to help give relief to skin flare-ups such as rash and itching. www.saje.ca

From Japan: Tea, and green tea in particular, is a potent anti-oxidant. A simple cuppa can help boost your immune system before and during flight and help restore what’s been depleted after landing. Easy to carry in a re-sealable pouch, teAlchemy‘s low-caffeine Immune Booster Elixir loose leaf tea contains green sencha tea, as well as skullcap, a variety of mint leaf that can help treat inflammation and has calming properties, orange peel and lemon flavour. Just ask your flight attendant for a cup of boiled water and you’re good to go. www.tealchemy.ca

How to Brew:

PS: Sencha is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants that help’s to restore a healthy immune system. Brew a cup – for 1 tsp of loose-leaf tea, boil about 6 oz water, pour over tea and steep for 5-7 min – and take try these other rest and relaxation tips: “LOL” laughing loudly and deeply causes infection-fighting antibodies to release. Get things dark at night as your body naturally produces melatonin, a natural hormone that prevents certain diseases.